Hip-Lock Waist-Belt

ABSTRACT

The Invention is a load bearing Waist-Belt with two types of independent adjustment straps that change the shape and dimensions of the Waist-Belt to conform to the individual body shape of the wearer, and improve weight transference to the hips.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Waist-Belts (also called hip-belts) are an everyday staple of devices designed to carry heavy loads. Harnesses, backpacks, golf club harnesses, and child carriers regularly include a load bearing Waist-Belt. Waist-Belts are a padded strap that goes around and over the hip bone to help redistribute the load's weight from the shoulders to the hips. Waist-Belts are most common in outdoor backpacks that are designed to catty large and heavy loads. FIG. 1 shows the design of a standard backpack that utilizes a load bearing Waist-Belt. Various configurations of backpacks exist, including backpacks with an external frame, internal frame, a backplate, and those without frames. Regardless, for backpacks the Waist-Belt is attached to a lower portion of the backpack. The Waist-Belt has an adjustable strap that is used to decrease the Waist-Belt assembly perimeter until it snugly fits around the wearer's waist. FIG. 2 shows how the wearer of the backpack utilized both shoulder straps and Waist-Belt to secure the load to their body. The shoulder straps (1) connect the top of the load containers and to the bottom, looping over the wearer's shoulders. The shoulder straps reduce the load's movements and prevent the load from tipping backward, unbalancing the wearer. The waist-belt (3) goes around and over the wearer's hips, and is secured tightly with a buckle at the front. The waist-belt (3) is designed to transfer some of the load's weight onto the wearer's waist and to the legs, thus reducing the amount of weight conveyed to the upper torso through the shoulder straps (1).

Children are heavy to carry. Most commercially available child carriers consist of a load-bearing pouch attached to shoulder straps that loop around the upper torso. Many also include a metal frame that connects to the shoulder straps and a Waist-Belt at the lowest portion of the frame, consistent with the backpack assemblies.

In each of the above embodiments, the Waist-Belt is typically attached to a lower portion of the load-bearing device or harness, extending around and over the hips of the wearer (see FIG. 2 ). Most include padding for added comfort on the wearer's hips and back. The Waist-Belt has an adjustment strap that is used to decrease the Waist-Beit assembly perimeter until it snugly fits around the wearer's waist and buckles at the front to secure the Waist-Belt around the wearer's waist.

In each of the above embodiments, the Waist-Belt has two distinct functions:

-   -   1. to reduce the unwanted movement of the load-bearing device,         thus reducing abrading of the wearer's back,     -   2. to distribute the weight of the cargo onto a wearer's hips,         lower lumbar area, and away from the shoulders and upper torso.

When carrying heavy loads, it is the upper torso that fatigues first. The weight that is transferred to the hips is felt directly on the legs, and the legs are much stronger muscles than the shoulders and upper torso. Hence it is desirable to improve the Waist-Belt design assembly to:

-   -   1—improve comfort     -   2—improve weight transference to the hips and away from the         upper torso

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Invention is a load bearing Waist-Belt with two types of independent adjustment straps that change the shape and dimensions of the Waist-Belt to conform to the individual body shape of the wearer. The Invention's first strap is the waist-strap (31) which adjusts the overall circumference of the Waist-Belt; reducing the circumference as the adjustment strap is tightened. This type of waist-strap is common to all load bearing belt designs. This Invention adds adjustable Hip-lock-straps (30) to the waist-strap (31). When tensioned, the Hip-lock-straps (30) deform the shape of the Waist-Belt above the hip bones. The Waist-Belt deforms in shape; it bends over above the hip bones, above the Iliac Crest; fundamentally changing the shape of the Waist-Belt to match the shape of the wearer's body. Thus the Invention does not rely on the padding or foam in the belt to conform to the wearer's hip shape but enables the wearer to change the shape of the Waist-Belt as desired to match their individual body shape. Thus the Invention:

-   -   1—improves comfort     -   2—improves weight transference to the hips and away from the         upper torso

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS

FIG. 1 —Standard heavy load backpack

FIG. 2 —Positioning of backpack and use of Waist-Belt.

FIG. 3 —Correct position of a Waist-Belt to the Iliac Crest

FIG. 4 —Forces at play in traditional Waist-Belt relative to the Iliac Crest

FIG. 5 —Front View of the Invention

FIG. 6 —Rear View of the Invention

FIG. 7 —Hip-Lock Waist-Belt cross-section while under tension

FIG. 8 —Forces at play in Invention relative to the Iliac Crest

FIG. 9 —Forces at play in Invention relative to the lower lumbar area

FIG. 10 —Planes of forces created by the Invention

FIG. 11 —V-Shaped Cutouts in Foam Core—Uncompressed

FIG. 12 —V-Shaped Cutouts in Foam Core—Compressed

FIG. 13 —Hip-lock-strap Adjustment Mechanism 2

FIG. 14 —Hip-lock-strap Adjustment Mechanism 3

REFERENCES AND PRIOR ART

The following inventions are considered and some referred to in the descriptions below:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,599 03/2015 Michael Hesterberg, Sven Tulowitzki -   Ser. No. 11/246,397 08/2018 Phuong Nguyen -   Ser. No. 11/219,317 11/2018 Rodney V. Telford -   Ser. No. 11/109,663 03/2017 Evan A. HogeZachary K. HillmanBrandon J.     Bair -   Ser. No. 11/064,794 06/2017 Gordon, Hunt, Kelly -   Ser. No. 10/849,409 05/2014 Robert MONCREIFF -   Ser. No. 10/806,238 05/2018 John Bemis SearsMatthew Halloran Connors -   Ser. No. 10/638,827 02/2019 Schlofman, Williams, Regan -   Ser. No. 10/617,194 02/2017 Rogers, Tagumi, Guthrie -   Ser. No. 10/251,465 02/2015 Cres Trilles AlcantraFemando Calderon     Aguilar -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,462,875 03/2013 Paduano, TAGUMI, STERRY, WOOKEY -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,289 07/2010 Thomas Mark Thibadeau, JR. Tabita G.     Verumen -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,108 B2 8/2003 Mydans -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,727 B2 5/2005 Moore

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Embodiments described herein provide an adjustable load-bearing Waist-Belt that adjusts and changes shape around the hips and lumbar area, conforming to the wearer's individual body shape. This Invention:

-   -   better adjusts to the wearer's body shape     -   provides more effective load distribution to the hips and lumbar         area

Load bearing Waist-Belts are designed to exploit the shape of the human body's hips to transfer weight from the cargo onto the hips. The positioning of the Waist-Belt to the hip bone's Iliac Crest (10) is vital to the successful function of the weight transference. The Waist-Belt cannot simply be wholly above the Iliac Crest(10) as this would push against the lower ribs and/or the diaphragm, causing issues of discomfort. The Waist-Belt encompasses the Iliac Crest (10); it is important it is both above and below. A traditional Waist-Belt is tensioned with the waist-strap (5), creating lateral force all around the body, producing inward compression. Waist-Belts have variations in the design of the foam/padding in the belt to maximize the effectiveness of the lateral compression force and comfort. The inward lateral force creates greater compression on the hip bone (12) and less compression above the hip bone (11). This foam compression shapes the belt to the wearer's body shape by compressing the padding in the belt. Based on the body shape, the compression at the hip bone is greater (12), and above the hip bone it is lesser (11).

The padding of the traditional waist-belt thus conforms to the shape of the wearer's body, creating the slope hugging the Iliac Crest (10). This curvature around the Iliac Crest (10), created through lateral inward-facing forces, is the mechanism for weight transference from the heavy load to the hips. But if the density of the foam/padding (11) is too light, the force exerted by the body (21) against the belt would simply compress the foam/padding. This would lead to the Waist-Belt slipping down over the Iliac Crest (10) and down to the ground. But if the density of the foam/padding (11) is too great, the force exerted by the body (21) against the belt would not lead to sufficient compression of the foam/padding and would be uncomfortable to the wearer, especially on the hips (12). To prevent the weight of the load forcing the traditional waist-belt down over the hips, over the Iliac Crest (10), the foam/padding at (11) must be dense enough to resist compressing but be light enough to conform to the body shape of the wearer. A conflict in design and an inherent point of trade-off.

The Invention (Hip-Lock Waist-Belt) does not rely on foam density to perform weight transference from the load to the hips. The Invention (Hip-Lock Waist-Belt) does not depend on foam density to adjust and conform to the wearer's unique body shape. The Invention (Hip-Lock Waist-Belt) comprises of a wide padded belt that encompasses the lower lumbar area and wraps around both sides of the body, enclosing each hip of the wearer. The belt's circumference wraps around to at least cover the hip bones of the wearer and goes further. The invention comprises of three straps for securing the belt. The first strap is the waist-strap (31) that covers the full circumference of the wearer's waist, from the lower back all the way round to the front abdomen, where the waist-strap buckles together. The waist-strap (31) is tightened to secure the Waist-Belt to the wearer. The waist-strap (31) is used to decrease the Waist-Belt assembly perimeter until it snugly fits around the wearer's waist. The second strap, hip-lock-strap (30), resides above the waist-strap (31) at the top of the belt. It starts from the lower back, traverses around the right-hand side of the wearer, across the top of the right hip bone, above the Iliac Crest, and ends further forward than the right hip bone. At its forward termination point, the strap is tightened with a friction device such as double d-rings (33), slide triglides (33), or a ladderlock buckle (33). The third strap, hip-lock-strap (30), resides above the waist-strap (31) at the top of the belt. It starts from the lower back, traverses around the left-hand side of the wearer, across the top of the left hip bone, above the Iliac Crest, and ends further forward than the left hip bone. At its forward termination point, the strap is tightened with a friction device such as double d-rings (33), slide triglides (33), or a ladderlock buckle (33). The second and third straps, the Hip-lock-straps (30), can be implemented as a single strap secured at the lower lumbar area of the Waist-Belt, traversing around both LHS and RHS of the wearer, across the top of the hip bones, and ending as described above with a friction device on each side.

The waist-strap (31) reduces the circumference of the belt to the wearer's waist size. The strap needs to be tight, as the Waist-Belt needs to be tight around the wearer's waist because this lateral force compresses the padding in the belt and provides an essential force for weight transference from the load to the hips. In a traditional load bearing Waist-Belt, this compression is the only method by which the belt matches the shape of the wearer. The foam and padding in the traditional Waist-Belt compress to different degrees according to the body shape. In a conventional Waist-Belt, the compressed padding is more at the hip bones, with the less compressed padding above the hip bones.

Gordon, Hunt, Kelly (U.S. Ser. No. 11/064,794) shows two independent belts in their Invention, a Waist-Belt and a hip-belt. The two-belt scheme enables the hip-belt to be adjusted independently of the Waist-Belt for comfort. But ultimately, the Waist-Belt overlaps; it shrouds the hip-belt thus the circumference of the Waist-Belt dictates the overall forces, and you have created bulk and potential discomfort. While there are separate adjustment straps for the Waist-Belt and the hip belts, the belts themselves are only adjusted by circumference; they do not adjust the belt in any other dimension.

This Invention adds the adjustable hip-lock-straps (30) to the waist-strap (31) on a unified Waist-Belt. The Hip-lock-straps, when tensioned, deform the shape of the Waist-Belt above the hip bones. The Waist-Belt deforms in shape; it bends over above the hip bones, above the Iliac Crest, changing the shape of the Waist-Belt to match the shape of the wearer's body. The waist-strap (31) reduces the circumference of the Waist-Belt to compress it tight to the wearer's hips. When tightened, the hip-lock-strap (30) bends the Waist-Belt at an angle. FIG. 7 shows the Waist-Belt under tension created by the hip-lock-strap (31). The amount that the Waist-Belt will bend over depends on the tension the wearer applies to the hip-lock-strap (30), which enables the wearer to adjust the Waist-Belt to match their individual body shape. FIG. 7 shows the Waist-Belt's shape and the position of the hip-lock-strap when under tension (94), and the position of the waist-strap when under tension (95). FIG. 8 shows the position of the Waist-Belt, under tension, in relation to the Iliac Crest. The Waist-Belt is flat against the hips below the Iliac Crest (95) and curved over (bent) above the Iliac Crest (94).

Thus the adjustable Hip-lock-straps (30) adjust the shape of the Waist-Belt in the vertical dimension. The waist-strap (31) adjusts the shape of the Waist-Belt in the horizontal dimension. The invention does not rely on the padding in the belt to conform to the wearer's hip shape but enables the wearer to change the actual shape of the Waist-Belt, in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, to match their individual body shape, as seen in FIG. 7 .

The Hip-lock-straps (30) invoke a shape change to the Waist-Belt that also dramatically changes the forces in play when distributing the heavy load's weight to the waist. As can be seen in FIG. 4 , with a traditional Waist-Belt, the created forces are only lateral, created by the waist-strap's horizontal compression. The belt padding has compressed more at the hip bone itself (12) and less above the hip bone (11), producing the shape that contours to the wearer's body shape. With a traditional Waist-Belt the foam/padding that resides above the hip bone (11) needs to resist being compressed by the hip bone due to the downward forces exerted by the load (20). If the foam/padding does not resist, the belt slides over the wearer's hips. Thus, with a traditional Waist-Belt, this foam resistance is a primary force to successful weight transference, along with basic friction. FIG. 4 shows that the only direct vertical force to resist the downward force exerted by the load is the friction (23) itself.

As can be seen in FIG. 8 , FIG. 9 , and FIG. 10 , with the Hip-lock-straps (30), the reshaped Waist-Belt now exerts a different set of forces than a traditional Waist-Belt. A new downward force diagonal to the hips exists, and the hip bones push upwards (FIG. 8 : 43) against that downward force (FIG. 8 : 42). This fundamentally changes the way the downward force exerted by the load is transferred onto the hips. It is direct. The resistance to that downward force is no longer solely reliant on the resistance from the foam compression, but the hips themselves push up (FIG. 8 : 43). The shape of the wearer's body is much better utilized in creating an upward force for the weight transference function.

This upward force created by changing the shape of the Waist-Belt not only applies to the hips but also to the lower lumbar area. As the Hip-lock-strap (30) is tightened, the Waist-Belt deforms its shape at the top high in the Lower Lumbar Area. The amount the belt changes shape (FIG. 8 : 44) depends on how much the Hip-lock-strap (30) is tightened. Thus the wearer can adjust the shape of the Waist-Belt to their own body shape. The belt deforms, redirecting the downward force into the lower lumbar area (FIG. 9 : 50). The small of the back correspondingly pushes back on this force with an upward force (FIG. 9 : 51). The contribution of friction to resist this downward force from the load still applies also. As can be seen in FIG. 9 , with the Hip-lock-straps (30), the reshaped Waist-Belt now exerts a force diagonally into the lower lumbar area (FIG. 9 : 50), which pushes upwards against that downward force (FIG. 9 : 51). This fundamentally changes the way the downward force exerted by the load is transferred to the lower lumbar area, it is more direct. The resistance to that downward force is no longer reliant on the foam compression resistance but on the lower lumbar area itself.

The Invention changes the forces that are created by the Waist-Belt. The Hip-lock-strap (30) is designed to create a new and effective additional plane of force (FIG. 10 : 60) around the waist of the wearer. FIG. 10 illustrates the diagonal plane of force created by the hip-lock-strap (FIG. 10 : 61). To achieve this new plane of force, the Hip-lock-strap (30) is anchored front and back (and optionally channeled) to create the specific plane. The Hip-lock-strap's (30) back is anchored high and center of the Waist Belt. The Hip-lock-strap's (30) front is anchored such that the plane of force is aligned with the Waists-Strap's buckle at the front of the belt. Waists-Strap's buckle is where the two planes of force created by the waist-strap (FIG. 10 : 60) and the hip-lock-straps (FIG. 10 : 61) are both anchored.

Thus the Invention:

-   -   1—transfers the downward forces exerted by the load to the hips         more effectively, which means load distribution is more         effective     -   2—the comfort of the wearer is improved, as the wearer can shape         the Waist-Belt to their own body shape

As the Hip-lock-strap (30) is tightened, the Waist-Belt deforms its shape at the top, above the Iliac Crest (10). The amount to which the belt changes shape (FIG. 8 : 44) depends on how much the Hip-lock-strap (30) is tightened. Thus the wearer can adjust the shape of the Waist-Belt to their own body shape. To facilitate this deforming or shape changing, foam/padding in the Waist-Belt must be of a light density to enable that compression. Additionally, the foam/padding in the Waist-Belt can have v-shaped gaps at the top, enabling lateral compression. FIG. 11 shows that the foam core of the Waist-Belt is made of high-density foam (FIG. 11 : 70), with v-shaped cutouts filled with a lower density foam (FIG. 11 : 71). FIG. 11 shows a front view and a side view of the Waist-Belt not under pressure exerted by the Hip-lock-straps. Without the force applied by the hip-lock-straps (30), the Waist-Belt shape is straight. Under the forces exerted by the Hip-lock-straps (30), the low-density foam Vs (FIG. 12 : 71) compresses and enables the deforming of the shape of the upper segment of the Waist-Belt. The high-density foam keeps the Waist-Belt's rigidity necessary for comfort and weight transference. FIG. 12 shows a front view and a side view of the internal foam core (FIG. 12 : 70 and FIG. 12 :71) of the Waist-Belt when under the forces of the tightened. Hip-lock-strap (30). FIG. 12 shows how the V's of low-density foam compress, enabling the Waist-Belt to deform its shape.

There are multiple potential configurations for effective adjustment of the tension in a Hip-lock-strap on a load bearing Waist-Belt. FIG. 5 illustrates the first of the Hip-lock-strap (30) potential adjustment mechanisms. The Hip-lock-strap (30) resides above the waist-strap (31), at the top of the belt, starting from the lower back, traversing around the side of the wearer, across the top of the hip bone (above the Iliac Crest). Forward of the hip bone attached to the Waist-Belt (3) is an adjustment mechanism (33), through which the Hip-lock-strap (30) is threaded. The adjustment mechanism (33) can be double d-rings (33), slide triglides (33), or a ladderlock buckle (33). In this embodiment, to adjust the Hip-lock-strap (30), the wearer threads the strap through the adjustment mechanism (33) and pulls the adjustment strap backward, towards the hips.

FIG. 13 illustrates the second of the Hip-lock-strap (30) potential adjustment mechanisms. The Hip-lock-strap (30) resides above the waist-strap, at the top of the belt, starting from the lower back, traversing around the side of the wearer, across the top of the hip bone (above the Iliac Crest), and forward of the hip bone where the Hip-lock-strap (30) terminates with an adjustment mechanism (81) attached to the Hip-lock-strap (30). A second strap, the second half of the Hip-lock-strap (30) is attached to the Waist-Belt (3) at a forward location, forward of the hips. The second strap threads backward and through the adjustment mechanism (81) that is attached to the Hip-lock-strap (30). In this embodiment, the wearer pulls the adjustment strap forwards away from the hips to tighten the Hip-lock-strap.

FIG. 14 illustrates the third of the Hip-lock-strap (30) potential adjustment mechanisms. The Hip-lock-strap (30) resides above the waist-strap, at the top of the belt, starting from the lower back, traversing around the side of the wearer, across the top of the hip bone (above the Iliac Crest) and forward of the hip bone where the Hip-lock-strap (30) is extended by one or more wires, that is threaded into an adjustment mechanism (33) where this adjustment mechanism is ratchet dial mechanism that tightens and loosens the wires via a dial. This mechanism is known as wire-laces, such as Korkers Boa M3 Laces, and is illustrated in the U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,599B2. 

1. A load bearing Waist-Belt comprising of a padded belt that encompasses the lower lumbar area and wraps around both sides of the wearer's waist, encompassing each hip of the wearer, with independent adjustment straps, one for the waist circumference adjustment and another for the fitting over the hip-bones.
 2. A load hearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the adjustment Hip-Strap starts from the lower back, traverses around each side of the wearer, across the top of the hip bone, above the Iliac Crest, and ends forward of the hip bone.
 3. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps can be implemented as a single strap that is secured at the back, and that goes around the left-hand-side and right-hand-side of the wearer.
 4. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps when tightened, change the shape of the Waist-Belt, bending the Waist-Belt over and above the hip bones to match the shape of the wearer's body.
 5. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps can be placed in channels to ensure their path goes around the left-hand-side and right-hand-side and above the Iliac Crest of the wearer.
 6. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps end forward of the hip bone and are terminated and adjusted with a friction device.
 7. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps are tension adjusted by looping the strap through double D-rings.
 8. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps are tension adjusted by looping the strap through slide triglides.
 9. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps are tension adjusted by looping the strap through ladderlock buckle.
 10. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where each adjustment Hip-Straps comprises of two straps. One rear strap spanning from the lumbar area forward over the Iliac Crest and is attached via a friction device. A second strap that is anchored forward spanning backward towards the hips and looping through the same friction device. The wearer pulls the second strap forwards to adjust the Hip-Strap.
 11. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the two adjustment Hip-Straps are attached at the forward end to wires which adjust the tension of the Hip-Straps with a ratchet device.
 12. A load bearing Waist-Belt according to claim 1 where the internal foam structure combines high density foam and shaped low density foam to enable the waist-belt shape change. 